How to securely password protect an Excel file
Posted on January 26, 2008 at 7:06 am
Password protecting your Excel worksheet can prevent others from tampering with your data, but it can also be a great way to protect your other passwords as well. When using Microsoft Excel, there are many ways that you can password protect your spreadsheet.
One of the first and easiest methods is to password protect the entire sheet or workbook. To do this in Microsoft Excel 2007, first go to the Review tab and then click on Protect Sheet or Protect Workbook.
When a pop-up window appears, select your options and type in the desired password. Your password can be something crazy, that no one would ever suspect (like 45pQ93S21!). In order to remember your password, copy it into a different workbook for safe keeping.
Create a new file, just to store your passwords. You can name this file anything you want, but it would probably be safer to name it something mundane – like HistoricalStockPrices.xls – instead of something that screams “open me” like ListOfMyPasswords.xls. In this new file, create your password list that you can then refer to whenever you want to open a document.
Next, password protect the entire workbook. To do this, click on File, then Save As. When the file-save window appears, type in your file name, then select the Tools drop down menu. From that menu, select General Options.
This will enable you to password protect the entire workbook and prevent anyone else from opening it and viewing its contents. For this password – remember to use one that you will remember. There is no easy way to retrieve a lost Excel password, so make this one something unique that you won’t forget.
Now, whenever you want to open that file, you will first see a screen like the one below asking for your password. This will enable you to protect all of your passwords and never forget them.
Useful Tip: Creating a password file can be especially useful if you are required to frequently change your password at work and always have trouble remembering the new password.
Summary of Simple Steps To Protect Your Work
1. Protect your sheets using the “Protect Workbook” button and a crazy password that can’t easily be guessed.
2. Store all your passwords in one sheet so that you’ll remember them. Password protect the entire sheet when you save it by using the Tools – General Options functionality. For this password, use something that you will remember.
This is a guest post by Karen Worthy, a tech enthusiast.
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Excel 2007, Excel, password, password protection, workbook, spreadsheet, protect sheet, protect workbook, save passwords, remember passwords, keep your passwords
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Thx for this article! I am always having to change my pasword at work and am always forgetting my passwords after I change them. This will help.
careful Sabrina, you are still better off memorizing your password. There are a lot of freely downloadable programs designed to crack Excel passwords.
i forget my password i want to open my excel file it is important.how can i open it
Thanks, this is a great help
Thanks!